NASA SBIR 2004 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Kinetic Art and Technology Corporation
9540 Hwy. 150, P.O. Box 250
Greenville, IN 47124-0250
(812)923-7474

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Craig Rutherford
craig@katech.com
9540 Hwy. 150, P.O. Box 250
Greenville, IN 47124-0250
(865)300-6394

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The proposed SBIR effort will employ a systems approach to develop motor/controller/screw element systems adequate for demanding launch thrust vector control and control surface actuator applications. This approach will utilize high bandwidth, high efficiency, redundant motor systems coupled with appropriately paired motor controls. The actuator system will consist of a high efficiency permanent magnet motor with a high number of current channels for system redundancy, an H-bridge based controller with a high number of parallel current channels and sufficient current capability to enable high system response, and conventional screw-based linear actuator elements. The linear actuation elements will be designed with corrosion resistance, increased resistance to nut jamming, and inherent features preventing incorrect installation of the device. These innovations are necessary to overcome the inherent limitations of today's actuator systems, which were developed based on the limitations of traditional motors, power electronics, and available actuator hardware. Phase I of this project will focus on the design requirements, key features, and suggested solutions for thrust vector control actuator systems. The Phase II portion of the project will deliver a working prototype actuator.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Development of this technology will result in a number of both linear and rotary electro-mechanical actuator opportunities in a broad area of applications. NASA Commercial Applications include:
1) Air and spacecraft thrust vector linear actuators,
2) Air and spacecraft control surface linear actuators,
3) Air and spacecraft door and hatch opening linear actuators,
4) High-bandwidth rotary servo-motors (with linear elements removed)for numerous control and robotic applications

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Non-NASA military and civilian applications include:
1) Civilian and military aircraft thrust vector linear actuators,
2) Civilian and military aircraft control surface linear actuators,
3) Civilian and miliatary door and hatch opening linear actuators,
4) Civilian and military high-bandwidth rotary servo-motors (with linear elements removed)
4) High-bandwidth rotary servo-motors (with linear elements removed)for numerous industrial and military control and robotic applications